fandomhigh | Friday Ethics Class #2, 8-10am

Tara looks excited, as students trickle in, bouncing slightly on the balls of her feet.

"Okay, we've got a lot to get through today. Two announcements to start:

First, Teacher's Assistants have been chosen. I have a carrot - Major K! - and a stick - Angelus. If you're having trouble grasping a concept, talk to Major K!. He'll guide you through the thinking. If you think you've got a hold on it, talk to Angelus. He'll challenge your thinking, give you the opportunity to clarify your position.

Second, and related to the latter - this class is not an easy A. At some point in this course you will find yourself challenged and confronted. For many of you, that will be today. If you walk out of this classroom before class is over, and without checking it with me, I may be understandably upset. However, I recognise that if you get angry or upset, you may need some time alone, or away from the group. To that end, I present to you the ~~Emo Closet~~ Time Out Room." She walks to the back of the classroom and opens the door to what previously was a supply cabinet. Inside is what looks very much like a white padded room. "This room is soundproofed. You can cry, scream and punch things all you want, and I will not penalise you for leaving the class or the discussion. Major K! or I will come to check on anyone who goes to the ~~Emo Closet~~ Time Out Room, in case you need help or support. Feel free to tell us to leave you alone.

Now, we've got our first debate to hear, a discussion topic to... um, discuss, and your first out of class assignment. ~~Which you are going to kill, or at least seriously maim, me for giving you.~~

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Sometimes, not always," Angelus said. "The exercise here is understanding the dynamic when that contract is there. Not that having that contract necessarily makes it easier."

Cameron sighed, "I still think this exercise is a load of bull and no matter how much arguing that's going on here, I'm not going to change my mind about it. But I'm going to wait to see what Lisa says about this all before I make my decision."

"Why's it bull?"

Cameron laughs and shakes his head. "Oh come on, we've already had the complete discussion. I don't think anyone who is opposed against it is suddenly going to turn around and go 'hey, you know what? maybe this is actually a good thing'. It more feels like kicking people in the shins and just actively provoking them than having an actually interesting new insight."

"It sounds to me like you've got a preconceived notion and you're going to stick with it," Angelus said. "Which if nothing else makes for an interesting lesson in how some would prefer to stand by what they think is right rather than question if it's actually right."

"Maybe. And maybe I'm too old fashioned or narrow midned about this, but I don't think I care at this point."

"How do you know you're right?" Angelus asked. "About anything? You pointed out the days when everyone thought slavery was acceptable - which isn't true either but let's go with that for argument's sake. How do you know that right here, right now, you don't believe something that in a hundred years will be something people find deplorable?"

"You don't, but if we work on that sort of basis we might as well throw away our society and morals and let everyone do whatever the hell they want. I don't know about you, but that's not a society I want to be part of. If I'm wrong? So be it."

"You're right, we can't," Angelus said. "But if you don't question your own beliefs from time to time - or ever - how will you know that they're your beliefs?

"Conversely, how can you defend your beliefs without understanding them better?" Angelus asked. "You want to convince me that slavery is wrong you'd better come at me with more than general concepts. I've owned slaves. I've been a slave. If fighting against slavery is so important to you then find a way to arm yourself to take my belief down. Right now I can promise you you don't have those tools."

"Right, you know if you only can bring a valued argument into this class because you have actual experience in it, I should probably just withdraw all together. Because, no I haven't murdered anyone either and I'm not about to. Does that make my opinion any less because I haven't? Because we can save ourselves a whole lot of time if that's the basis of this class."

Angelus grinned. "I don't recall saying you needed actual experience."

"Funny. It really thought it was implied right there."

"See?" Angelus said. "Assumptions again."

Angelus sat forward, dropping any appearance of antagonism. "Cam, I don't give a flying fuck if you approve of slavery or not. I am a TA in this class, however, which means I do give a flying fuck if you think. You heard the teach. I'm the stick. I see or hear anyone in this class spouting out words on automatic pilot I will call them on it. Doesn't matter if it's anti-slavery or pro-vampire.

"Now seeing as I've got nothing against you personally I don't mind backing off long enough to give you the hint that you are not using your brain with this. Which is okay, because from what I'm hearing nobody else is either. But if I, the guy who wrote those rules, am telling you you're not looking at them correctly... it might not hurt to think about why."

Angelus gave him a wink.

[ooc: I hear you. Stupid sinuses. Almost lunch here so feel free to either reply whenever or assume they went on to other conversations.]

Cameron sighed. "I know you're just doing your job in this and I appreciate all the work you guy put into this. But when you raise a subject like this, you have to expect people to respond with their gut first. Especially for people who have experience with it."

He frowned and looke over to where Janet and Liz were talking. Janet was clearly not happy with this and he could only imagine how Vala would think about this whole assignment. "And be it gut or brain, I can't justify this to myself. I'm sorry." he shrugged. "I still want to talk with Lisa first, but chances are I'll just pull out of this one."

Tara steps in between them. "Cameron? Chill. Your perspective is as valuable as anyone else's. This class is about exploring our moral boundaries. Evidently on this issue, yours is closer than most people's."

She looks at him kindly. "Are you still going to wait for Lisa before making a decision?"

"Right now my moral boundaries are very unhappy," he frowned as he noticed Janet walk out of the class, clearly upset. "I still want to talk to Lisa, but with your permission I'd like to check up on Janet first."

"Of course, Cameron. I think that's a good idea. Let me know what you decide."

[ooc: and please confirm for the mun that it's the character who is angry and not the player? please?]

"I will. I think taking a breather isn't a bad idea either. Thank you," Cameron said with a wry smile before slipping out.

[Thank you. *breathes sigh of relief* Now if I can just make sure Janet-mun and Liz-mun aren't going to hit me with big rocks, I can go to sleep. Cos it's 1:30 in the morning.]

[Take your time on the debate. As long as it's posted in the next few days I'm easy.

Going to bed.]

Friday Ethics Class #2, 8-10am

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